“Apprenticeships feature heavily in our plans for the combined authority. This includes creating 600 jobs within the health and social care sector and a commitment of more than £690,000 over the next two years to support small business financially to take on apprentices.”

Caroline Bosworth of Corkers Crisps will also address the meeting.

She said: “In 2017 we surpassed the milestone of employing over 100 people. This was achieved within seven years of forming the business which we are hugely proud of.

“What has become clear to us is the importance of having apprentices as part of our company. This has been hugely rewarding and we cannot wait to show other like-minded businesses why they should consider this route to recruitment.”

A third speaker, Maria Morgan, managing director of Platinum Properties, said: “Our team is comprised of highly experienced well-regarded industry professionals, some whom started their careers as apprentices themselves.

“We look forward to giving others a greater understanding of the positive impact that apprenticeships have on businesses and how the next generation of professionals can make a positive impact.”

Marie Lee, HR manager at Cambridge Commodities, said: “We are very supportive of apprenticeships and how they can positively impact our business.

“Over the past five years, we’ve taken on over 15 successful apprentices, many of whom have gone on to occupy full-time positions within the company.

“Our main drive is to up skill and develop our teams to foster personal and business growth, and it is a pleasure to support Enterprise East Cambridgeshire’s employer event to celebrate just how much apprentices can strengthen businesses.”

Enterprise East Cambridgeshire is the economic development arm of East Cambridgeshire District Council and facilitate economic growth by working with the local business community in East Cambridgeshire

The Employer Event: Apprenticeships Work will run from 11am to 2pm. You can register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/employer-event-apprenticeships-work-tickets-42559235820